Bowel cancer testing kit could save thousands of lives

Published on Tuesday 24 July 2007 00:31

THOUSANDS of lives could be saved if people use a bowel cancer testing kit being sent to their homes, experts claimed yesterday.

Cancer Research UK estimated that up to 20,000 fewer people would die over the next 20 years if just 60 per cent of eligible people were screened. Kits are currently being sent to those aged 60 to 69 in England, with Scotland and Wales also rolling out similar schemes.

Researchers calculated that if 80 per cent of eligible people used the kit, up to 25,000 deaths from bowel cancer could be prevented over the next 20 years.

The calculations were made to launch a Cancer Research UK campaign, Screening Matters, which urges the government to get an extra three million people screened for breast, cervical and bowel cancer.

Around 35,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK, and more than 16,000 die from the disease. It is the second most common cause of cancer death.

The testing kit is designed so that people take three faecal samples at home and send them off for testing. Those who have blood in their stools are invited for a colonoscopy, and the test should be repeated every two years.

According to the screening programme, 98 per cent of people will receive a normal result, while 2 per cent will get an abnormal result and will usually be offered a colonoscopy.